Capture kids’ attention at a young age, and it can inspire their futures. You often hear kids say they want to be a doctor, athlete, lawyer, policemen, or fireman. They associate these jobs with prestige and the “cool factor.” But how often do you hear a kid say that she wants to work in manufacturing?

What about pre-teens, teens, and even adults entering the workforce or changing careers? Many times, unless they’ve been exposed to manufacturing, they can’t relate to careers associated with industry or don’t realize the variety of careers available within a manufacturing plant.

In an industry that was hard hit during the Great Recession and was already laboring under some misconceptions, it’s more important than ever to position manufacturing in a relatable way. This can be done through connecting careers in manufacturing with the younger generations’ interest in Legos, robots, and computers; creating links to the communities people live in by promoting jobs associated with locally made products; or exposing educators and other influencers to everything manufacturing has to offer.

 …